THE BEAST
Added 2024-04-27 05:51:49 +0000 UTCJust got back from seeing it. Wow....I mean...damn. Easily the most ambitious thing I have ever seen from Bertrand Bonello. He's up to his same tricks, as in finding the repetition in human behavior throughout time, how our societies enable or hinder us in that, and of course how that all ties into the illusion of art/cinema. But he's gone almost full Cloud Atlas mode here. I have to think about whether or not the density of the project brings those same themes to life with the same kind of verve of a movie like HOUSE OF TOLERANCE. I would love to hear what you guys think of it in the meantime. I admit, I've never reviewed a film of Bonello's after only seeing it once. It feels too daunting a lot of the time. I never know if I like his work or not until a second viewing. This one is no different. But I will give it my best shot. If I can I will try and see it twice. I dunno when I'll get it out, but for sure sometime in May. I have my work cut out for me lol. I'm sure this is one I will be bringing up a few times this year on Youtube.
Comments
Interesting. It's playing pretty consistently near me.
Deepfocuslens
2024-04-27 17:03:22 +0000 UTCIt's an incredibly low bar, so I don't really consider that much of an accomplishment. But yes.
Deepfocuslens
2024-04-27 17:02:28 +0000 UTCDamn, I think I missed it here in KC. There’s only a couple of theaters that screen arthouse and foreign films and they just stopped showing it a few days ago. Oh well. Because it’s from Janus Films, it’ll probably pop up on the Criterion Channel sooner or later. They have a tight business relationship.
Bennett Oliver
2024-04-27 16:14:04 +0000 UTCTold my friend, “I’m not exactly sure what happened or what it all meant, but I loved it.” Not sure I have any great insight beyond basic themes about generational trauma and the dangers of AI. It’s been eons since I’ve seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but there is that idea of getting rid of painful memories so you can live a “better” life. Are our emotions at the core of our humanity, or are they a hindrance to our daily lives? Or both? I’m flailing here, but I really enjoyed watching it. Plus, Lea Seydoux. It can’t be that bad.
Jim Barnes
2024-04-27 09:40:20 +0000 UTCUnfortunately not playing in my area right now. Definitely looking forward to it. Sounds like your favorite of the year so far?
Stephen
2024-04-27 08:25:10 +0000 UTCThanks! Fodder for my new Criterion Channel streaming account, which I've just figured out how to VPN into.
Matthew Ryder
2024-04-27 07:29:18 +0000 UTCNocturama
Deepfocuslens
2024-04-27 06:45:07 +0000 UTCOh wow. I’ve seen the poster, but this is the first I’ve heard anything about it. Just read the synopsis, and I am IN lol I think it’s playing at my local theater, I’ll have to check it out :) Not familiar with the director, but eager to see what he’s about
Donoharm
2024-04-27 06:42:09 +0000 UTCI can't wait for this! (I can tell my predominant emotion on here is going to be envy: here in South Africa, these kinds of arty films take forever to arrive and sometimes don't even get a theatrical release.) Haven't seen any Bonello. Which should I seek out first?
Matthew Ryder
2024-04-27 06:33:43 +0000 UTC
